Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTY
Yvonne chewed on her pen during the weekly menu discussion at The Sweet and Savory Table on Saturday morning.
She wasn’t a partner, only part-time help, but since she’d joined Club Indigo, Sonja and Suzie increasingly involved her in their day-to-day business.
Today, she was wishing she had a green card or a visa that would let her work for them for real and missed part of the conversation.
“I’d like to do something special to bring in more customers as well as keep our regulars happy. I know our products are selling well, but we need to keep innovating to attract new people,” Sonja stated.
Suzie stretched and rolled her shoulders. “I agree, but somehow, I haven’t had much inspiration lately. All I seem to do is keep the peace between Abby and Tim.” She sighed. “Teenagers!”
Yvonne remembered how she and her sister had fought growing up.
From the time Yvonne was six and Els was eight until Els left home to study in Eindhoven, they’d fought about anything and everything.
Somehow, Els moving out had triggered a change, and the sisters had got along well since then.
Now she missed Els, her last living relative other than her Tante Wilma.
She didn’t miss Haarlem, but she did miss some of the Dutch foods, like chocolate sprinkles on her bread for breakfast! And she longed for a kroket.
Yvonne shot upright and almost poked her eye out with her pen. She ignored it and blurted out her idea. “We could do a Dutch week!”
Sonja paused with her mouth wide open.
Whoops, Sonja had been mid-sentence by the looks of it. Yvonne felt her cheeks heat, and she cursed her fair skin silently. “Sorry.”
Suzie studied her pensively. “No, don’t be. Please continue, Yvonne.”
Yvonne looked from Suzie to Sonja and back. She drew a deep breath and launched into her explanation. Both women listened with growing attention until she finished her monologue. “There must be more Dutch people here or people who are curious about other cultures, right?”
Suzie looked puzzled. “Croquet sounds French to me. What is it?”
Yvonne smiled. “Oh, believe me, it’s very Dutch, and we also make them in a smaller version called bitterballen.
” At their stunned expressions, she chuckled.
“Yeah, I know it doesn’t sound good, but it tastes great!
Basically, it’s a deep-fried roll filled with meat, shellfish, fish, cheese, mashed potatoes or vegetables, mixed with béchamel or brown sauce, and shaped into a cylinder, disk, or oval covered in breadcrumbs—bitterbal is the snack variety. ”
Sonja looked doubtful, but Suzie became more excited. She loved trying new foods. “Let’s try to make them and have a tasting at Club Indigo tonight.” Suzie seemed to be unable to sit still and her voice rose in volume. “We could also make two of the pastries.”
Yvonne hoped she wouldn’t screw it up and took a fortifying breath. “I’d like that, but I have to call Tante Wilma. I hope she can manage today without me.” Yvonne excused herself to make her call.
After an afternoon of experimenting in the café kitchen, Yvonne and Suzie decided on bite-sized beef bitterballen.
Their first attempt had been an utter disaster when the balls disintegrated in the deep fryer.
Yvonne had been ready to abandon the idea, but Suzie laughed it away and told her, “Shit happens.” They also made a batch with cheese filling, which was Sonja’s favorite, and Dutch hazelnut meringue cream cakes, called hazelinos.
Now, Yvonne proudly made a round through Club Indigo’s main room with a plate full of golden-brown balls the diameter of a quarter.
She halted at James and Laura’s table. Laura looked stunning in her purple corset, and Yvonne admired how well the woman wore her age with grey-streaked hair and a few lines that gave her face character.
“These have beef in them, but we have a vegetarian version, too.”
James smiled at her and his gaze collided with hers.
“I’m impressed you remembered my preferences, pet.
I’d love to try those.” He stroked Laura’s neck along her collar, and she turned her head to give him more access.
Heat gathered in Yvonne’s belly as she witnessed the sensual play between the couple.
She envied their connection and hoped to reach the same level of intimacy with Kate and Chris one day, too.
“We also brought a sweet treat,” Yvonne said politely, “and I’ll be right back with the cheese bitterballen.”
“I love it when you talk dirty!”
Two strong arms snaked around her from behind, and Chris chuckled in her ear as he steadied the plate. She tried to turn, but he halted her movement with the pressure of his arms.
“What have you brought us, and why aren’t you serving us topless?”
Yvonne turned her head to make eye contact and gave him a smile as sweet as the hazelinos they had also made.
“These are Dutch specialties. We’re doing a tryout for The Sweet and Savory Table.
” She twisted out of his grip and pushed the plate between them.
“If you want to see my breasts, you can always negotiate a scene with me.”
Behind her, Laura chuckled then groaned.
Yvonne had to concentrate not to look behind her to see what James was doing.
At this rate, her thong would be soaked before she even got to a scene.
She fixed her gaze on Chris, who wore a grin on his lips and mirth in his eyes.
He lifted a treat from her plate and popped it into his mouth.
He chewed, closed his eyes, and groaned. As soon as he swallowed, his eyes popped open, and he scooped two others from her plate. “Delicious.” He winked. “Find me and Kate when you’ve finished your rounds.”